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W. LEWIS.

sUPPoRTmGr AND LOCKING ATTAGHMBNT POR BIGYGLES.

No, 485,285. Patented Nov. 1, 1892.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. LEWIS. SUPPORTING AND LOCKING ATTACHMENT POR BIGYGLES.

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Q 151W @J4/@Mw UNITED STTEs WALTER LEWIS, OF PHILADELPHIA,

PATENT OEEICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IIALF TO GEORGE T. TURNER, OF SAME PLACE.

-SPEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 485,285, dated November 1, 1892.

Application tiled December 18, 1891. Serial No. 415,529. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WALTER LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented' certain Improvements in Supporting and Locking Attachments for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a bicycle with an attachment of such character that when in position for use it will aord an effective means whereby the bicycle is supported in an upright position and when not in use can be readily supported upon the steering-head of the machine, where it is out of the way of the steering-wheel and oiters no obstacle whatever to the proper ruiming of the machine. The attachment, moreover, can be readily moved from one position to the other and cannot be accidentally displaced when in either position, and when combined with a transverse rod or bar for passing between adjoining spokes of the bicycle-wheel it serves to lock said wheel, and thus provides a safeguard against the unauthorized use or theft of the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is i a perspective viewillustrating the application of my improved attachment to an ordinary form of bicycle, the latter being shown in dotlines, while the attachment is shown in full lines and in position for serving as a support for the machine. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but illustrating the attachment in the position to which it is adjusted when the machineis running. Fig. 3 is a side View of part of the machine with the attachment in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, the attachment being shown partly in section and combined with the device for retaining it in position. Fig. 4 is a side view of part of the machine, illustrating the attachment in the position to which it is adjusted before it assumes its iinal or supporting position, as shown in Fig. l. Figs.

5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating different forms of looking-bar to be used in connection with the attachment, and Figs. 7 and 8 are views illustrating supporting-frames differing in form from that shown in Figs. 1

and 2.

form of bicycle, and in the drawings I have illustrated the same as used in connection with a bicycle of the safety type.

The attachment consists of a frame, preferably ot' the triangular form shown and comprising opposite side bars aand a base-bar b, the side-bars being hung at the upper ends to links d, which in turn are hung to blocks f, riveted or otherwise secured upon the opposite legs of the forked head, which carries the front or steering wheel of the machine, the base-bar b being of such length that the side bars a of the frame flare outwardly from the links to the bar.

Centrally mounted upon the bar l) is a socket g, U-shaped in cross-section and by preference curved longitudinally, so as to coincide with the curve of the rim and tire of the steering-wheel of the machine, the socket being pivoted to lugs on the bar l?, so that it is free to swing in passing beneath the wheel, as described hereinafter. When the attachment is not in use, it occupies the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the triangular frame in this case extending upward from the links d and the side bars a resting against the steering-handle oi the machine,asuitable catch being employed in order to retain the attachment in this position. In Fig. 3, for instance, I have shown4 a spring linger i', mounted upon the steering-head and engaging with an opening in the socket g, this iinger being such that while it will serve to retain the attachment in position as against accidental displacement due to the jarring or shaking' of the machine itwill yield readily to permit the socket to be passed over it when the attachment is raised by hand to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 or when pressure is exerted upon the attachment to throw it down in front of the steering-wheel, the attachment then falling until the bar l) strikes the ground in front ot' the wheel and the socket g receives the rim and tire ot the wheel, as shown in Fig. 4. A slight forward movement of the machine will then cause the crossbar and its socket to slip under the wheel and assume the position shown in Fig. 1, and when in this position the bar b provides such an extended lateral bearing that the machine roo My invention is applicable to any ordinary will stand perfectly steady, any toppling of the machine to either side being effectually prevented. Forward movement of the machine when the attachment is in supporting position will not so disarrange said Iattachment as to interfere with the proper performance of its dut-y, the transverse bar and socket closely following the movement of the forward wheel, so that when the machine stops the supporting-frame is always in proper position for holding it upright. In this respect my improved attachment is essentially different from that form of supporting device which consists of a leg pivoted at its upper end to the fixed frame of the machine and extending outward and downward when in use, so as to provide a third point of support for the machine. Even when such pivoted legs are used upon both sides of the machine forward movement of the latter has the effect offswinging the legs rearward, and they are thereby moved out of supporting position.

Excessive rearward swinging of my improved supporting-frame is prevented by contact of the side bars a of the same with the usual projectingfoot-supports on the sides of the steering-frame of the machine, and the link connections at the upper ends of said side bars a prevent any binding of the cross-bar or socket against the steering-wheel when said bar and socket are swinging from the front to the rear of the wheel, as before set forth. If, however, it is desired to permit the supporting-frame to remain in front of the steering-wheel when in supporting position, these links may be dispensed with, or when the links areused they may, if desired, be hung directly to the legs of the forked steeringframe, the use of the blocks fleeing in all cases preferred, however,because said blocks not only provide a betterbearing for thelinks than would the curved legs of the steeringframe, but the formation of the openings in the legs of the steering-frame for the reception of the rivets, whereby the blocks f are secured thereto, weakens said steering-frame to a lessY extent thanwvould the formation therein of openings large enough for the reception of the pivot-bolts for the links. The cross-bar b is preferably thin and is shod on the under side with a strip m of leather, rubber, cork, or like material which will prevent the bar from slipping when the bicycle is left standing upon smooth or slippery pavements. While the triangular form of supportingframe is, as before stated, the preferable one, other forms of frame may, if desired, beused withoutrdeparting from my invention. For instance, in Fig. 7 I have shown a frame in which the side bars a are vertical throughout the greater part of their length and flare abruptly at and near the bottom, so as to join the outer ends of the transverse bar b,and in Fig. S I have shown a frame in which the side bars a are vertical throughout.

As before remarked, my improved attachment provides, in addition to its supporting function, a ready means of lockingl the front wheel of the bicycle, so as to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the machine during the absence of the owner. The preferable method of accomplishing this result. is to hang a locking-bar vL--such, for instance, as shown in Fig. 5-to one of the side bars a 0f the attachment, the joint being a universal one, so that the locking-bar can either be disposed along the side bar of the atachment when not in use or can bev thrown across from one bar to the other between adjoining spokes of the wheel when it is Ydesired to lock the latter, the outer end of the bar in this case engaging with any suitable form of lock n on the other side bar of the attachment. When the bar n is adjusted into line `withthe side bar a, it may be retained by any appropriate form of catch-for instance, by a spring-clip, as shown at s in Fig. 5. Vhen the socket gis used, the locking-bar may, if desired, be applied to said socket, as shown in Fig. 6, and instead of engaging with a locking device it may engage with a staple, to which it is secured by an ordinary padlock, as also shown in said Fig. 6. One end of the locking-bar may also be adapted to a socket on one of the side bars of the supporting-frame instead of being pivoted thereto, the locking of the bar to the other side of the frame preventing its removalfrom said socket.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A bicycle-supporting frame having a base-bar extending on each side of the ma chine, said frame being hung at its .upper end to the steering-frame and having below said upper end a bearing on said steeringfrarne, whereby the rearward swinging of the supporting-frame is limited, substantially as described.

2. A bicylesupporting frame having a base-bar extending on each side of the machine, said frame being hung to the steeringframe at apoint above the projecting footrests thereon, whereby when the supportingframe swings rearward said foot-rests will serve as stops to limit such rearward movement, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the supporting-frame with the links to which the upper ends of said frame are hung and blocks to which the links are pivoted, said blocks being adapted for application to the steering-frame of the bicycle, substantially as specified.

4. The within-described supporting device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame pivoted at its upper end-to the frame of the bicycle and having at the lower end a transverse supporting-bar with socket extending along the rim of the Wheel, substantially as specified.

5. The within-described supporting. device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame pivoted at its upper end to the frame of the machine and having at the lower end a transverse supportingbar with socket pivoted IIO thereto and adapted to receive the rim of the wheel,` substantially as specified.

6. The within-described supporting device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame 5 hung at its upper endto the frame of the machine and having at the lower end a transverse supporting bar shod upon the under side with rubber or like material to prevent slipping, substantially as specified.

1o 7. The within-described supporting and locking device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame having opposite bars hung at their upper ends to the frame of the machine and connected at their lower ends by a trans- 15 verse supporting-bar, said frame having a cross-bar adapted to pass between the spokes of the wheel, and also having a locking device for said cross-bar, substantially as specified.

8. The within-described supporting and v zo locking device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame comprising opposite side bars pivoted at their upper ends to the frame of the machine and having at their lower ends a transverse supporting bar, in combination 2 5 with a locking -bar adapted to pass transversely between the spokes of the wheel, said locking-bar being pivoted to the supportingframe on one side of the wheel and engaging with a locking device on said frame on the opposite side of the wheel, substantially as 3o specified.

9. The within-described supporting and locking device for bicycles, the same consisting of a frame comprising opposite side bars hung to the frame of the machine at their up- 35 per ends and having a transverse supporting bar at their lower ends, in combination with a locking -bar hung to one of said sidebars by a universal joint and a locking device on the other side bar for engaging with and re- 4o taining said locking-bar after the samehas been passed transversely between the spokes of the wheel, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of 45 two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER LEWIS.

Witnesses:

EUGENE ELTERICH, HARRY SMITH. 

